“Ding! Welcome to the Doll Game! This game’s theme is ‘The Last Bride.’ Rules are as follows:

One — refuse the game and become a doll!

Two — fail the game and become a doll!

Three — clear the game and receive a doll!…”

Bai Youwei was intimately familiar with this voice.

Every time a game began, it rang in her ears — accompanied by the familiar white light that blazed to life before her eyes —

On instinct, she closed her eyes. In her mind, she knew with perfect clarity: once she opened them again, everything would be different.

……

Before her was a small, enclosed space — solid wood construction, leather-upholstered seats — the floor rocking beneath her as though she were riding in a horse-drawn carriage.

Inside the carriage, including herself, there were seven women.

She recognized Yu Yaqing, Su Man, and Zhu Shu, along with the girl called Xiao Qian. There was also a middle-aged woman she didn’t know, and another woman who appeared somewhat younger.

All women.

And all dressed in white veils.

It was the first time in Bai Youwei’s life she had worn a wedding gown, and this was not at all how she’d imagined it happening.

She first felt for the rabbit tucked in her arms, then the golden key at her neck, then the canvas bag hanging from the side of her wheelchair — everything was there.

Bai Youwei felt considerably relieved.

“We… we’ve probably triggered the game.”

The first to speak was Zhu Shu.

She looked around at the expressions on each person’s face, then said hesitantly, “Since we’re in here, should we start with introductions? It might help us get to know each other…”

Yu Yaqing’s expression was dark, but she was rational enough to cooperate with Zhu Shu’s suggestion.

“My name is Yu Yaqing. I’m the head of the security unit. Given that only women seem to trigger this game, I hope we can all work together. If anyone feels like crying or screaming — keep it in, and don’t cause trouble for everyone else.”

The words weren’t particularly pleasant, but at a moment when everyone’s nerves were on edge, no one paid much mind to her tone.

“I’m Su Man. I only joined the assessment unit a couple of days ago.” Su Man’s self-introduction was brief.

She’d been about to mention her skill in hand-to-hand combat, but with her hand still wrapped in a splint, she pursed her lips and left it at that.

Zhu Shu asked the girl next to her, “What’s your name? I heard Li Li call you ‘Xiao Qian.'”

“Cheng Qian — I’m in the research unit along with Li Li.” The girl replied softly, eyes darting around nervously. “What… what kind of game is this?”

“Still unclear. We’ll probably only know once the carriage stops.” Zhu Shu looked at the other woman. “And you — what’s your name? You look like you might be from the security unit…”

“Hu Ya.” She replied stiffly, her gaze drifting toward Yu Yaqing. “I’m Team Leader Yu’s subordinate. I was in the middle of evacuating the logistics head and his wife when I suddenly entered the game.”

“Are any of you capable? Have you all played games before?” the middle-aged woman said in agitation. “That voice just now said something about… The Last Bride? What does that mean?”

“Please introduce yourself first.” Zhu Shu gently reminded her. “Getting anxious right now won’t help.”

The middle-aged woman was frantic as an ant on a hot pan — fidgeting in her seat, her words coming out in stops and starts:

“I… I, I — my surname is Zhao, my given name is Lanfen. Zhao Lanfen. You can also call me Auntie Li — my husband’s family name is Li.”

“Can’t you have your own name? Do you have to take a man’s name!” Yu Yaqing said with distaste.

But Zhao Lanfen’s only concern was getting out of this place. She had no energy to quarrel with Yu Yaqing and turned urgently to Bai Youwei. “And you? What’s your name? Quick, introduce yourself—”

Bai Youwei smiled at them. “I’m Bai Youwei. A cripple.”

—